Ratings v West Ham

[Bus-Conductor]

I think the main question today raised, apart from how the fuck do we get over these EL blues seemingly every time we play in it, is what do we do if Kane is off form and it's compounded by Eriksen being knackered/crap?

For me, If you're going to play Townsend and Lamela (and I wouldn't), at least play Townsend on the left and Lamela on the right. Erik's not a left sided player, and never will be. On the right though he's effective when cutting inside and is the only player we have capable of clever passing and movement with Kane and Eriksen.

Townsend has one real positive and it's his ability to create a yard of space for a second - on the right that's wasted as he will cut inside every time. At least on the left he can put some crosses in, and his crosses can sometimes be decent. He can stretch the defence a little and open up some space in the centre.

But if Kane's playing poorly, who's going to score? If Eriksen is due his nap or just not playing well, who's going to score? If we're not going to play Eriksen, then surely we've got to play Chadli, on the left, as our only other realistic goal threat. Townsend and Lamela aren't going to score regularly - they're both terrified of shooting, Andros because he gets slated for it and Erik because he doesn't want to be seen wasting possession. Demebele, who despite today's unexplainable disaster has been quite effective in the 10 role recently, isn't going to score or create either. Where are the goals in this team? Not coming from Mason or Bentaleb's shooting, that's for sure.

We need another striker, and we need another wide player (preferably right side) who can score semi-regularly.

I don't know who those players should be, but I think we need them.

I also (said it before but worth repeating) would go balls-out for Cabaye in the summer, he would do wonders for our team, he knows the league, he's a tough little bastard and he chips in with regular goals. He's like the player Mason aspires to be.

Pritchard ?

 

[Bobbins]

Pritchard ?

Would definitely like to see him next season, he's certainly tearing it up for Brentford. Not sure where best to play him - seems like an obvious understudy for Eriksen at the tip of the AM/behind the striker area?

 

[Bulletspur]

Maybe it's because we spent 30 million on him. But I expect more from Lamela. And so far. He just hasn't delivered. No where near 30 million pounds worth of talent. Maybe he will come good. But I'm hard pressed to see where he can get better. He doesn't have silky skills. He doesn't shoot. He gives the ball away a lot. He does track back. He is putting in a shift. But I don't just want to see this from him. I want him scoring worldies. Embarrassing players with his skill and putting pin point crosses in? I feel like I have bought a house at auction without viewing it and found out it hasn't got any electricity or running water. But lots of people on here were creaming about us getting him. I just can't see what all the fuss is about.

This isn't knee jerk. There were other players equally culpable for our poor performance. But my eye keeps drifting towards our most expensive signing ever.

Probably if you imagine he only cost 5 million you might feel less stressed and more appreciative

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I'd sling Capoue in for this Thursday.

How would you approach this crucial period coming up?

Would you leave some key players at home? Personally I would as I think we have more chance of winning on Sunday and finishing in the top four if we're out of Europa and we keep some players at home this week for the final.

Pretty cruel schedule in truth. Not only do we have to contend with the final three days after playing away in Europe, there's mid week league fixtures I completely forgot about. We play Swansea next Wednesday off the back of all this. They'll have less games and more rest to.

Some rotation will have to be made. But who Pochettino will rest is anyone's guess. I can't believe Vertonghen has been risked in cup games so often this season, he's been vital for us all season. You can't risk Kane either surely ?

This fixture clash really is fucking ridiculous. English football needs it's teams to do well in Europe for its co-efficient etc, and there is now a CL place at stake, and it schedules a Cup final 3 days after Europa games. It's utterly mental.

 

[Mr Pink]

Some rotation will have to be made. But who Pochettino will rest is anyone's guess. I can't believe Vertonghen has been risked in cup games so often this season, he's been vital for us all season. You can't risk Kane either surely ?

This fixture clash really is fucking ridiculous. English football needs it's teams to do well in Europe for its co-efficient etc, and there is now a CL place at stake, and it schedules a Cup final 3 days after Europa games. It's utterly mental.

Yeah absolutely, its just mental the schedule we're facing. And not only that, we've a league game against Swansea three days after the final as well...and then QPR two days after that.

That just isn't fair whatever way you look at it.

I'd leave Kane at home, in fact I'd leave several at home but understand some might not agree with that.

I suspect Poch will plan it out, with some of those who play against Fiorentina more likely to play against Swansea....and ditto for playing against Chelsea and then QPR.

 

[double0]

I hope Pochettinho picks a full strength team for the game in Italy, the result is salvageable and winning the European cup now is qualification for CL....The league cup final will take care of itself. I believe adrelien should kick in at Wembley.

The game to watch out for is Swansea directly after the cup final.

 

[Bulletspur]

30 million quid does not buy you world class footballers, not attacking ones anyway.
Bale was 3x that amount.
Suarez was 75 Million
Rodriguez was 60 odd million
Di Maria was 57 million.
Adam lallana cost the same amount.

Ànd Andy Carroll 35 million...........!